According to authorities, Brenda Joyce Ford, 53, called state police at 9:16 p.m. saying her husband was behaving in a hostile manner. Edward Hopkins, a spokesman for the Harford County Sheriff's Office, said Brenda Ford informed police that Ford had a gun. Police said the couple had been drinking.

At 9:30 p.m., deputies arrived at the house and ordered the couple out of their home. Brenda Ford left the house and was put in a patrol car, police said. Larry Ford came out holding a rifle when police ordered him out a second time, authorities said.

Ford walked toward the officers, refusing requests to put down the rifle, police said. Hopkins said the three officers opened fire when Ford lifted the rifle and pointed it at them. He said Ford was within about 25 feet of the officers.

Brenda Ford could not be reached for comment yesterday.

Joyce Seabolt, who lives next to the Ford residence, arrived home from work at 12:30 a.m. yesterday to find her road closed.

Seabolt said the neighborhood in the northwest corner of Harford County is usually quiet.